In an op-ed piece that appeared in Politico, Sen. Marco Rubio, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that Russia's military intervention in Ukraine calls for no less than "immediate and decisive U.S. leadership."

Rubio said that the conflict can escalate, with broader repercussions in the region, and that the United States must act swiftly and condemn Russia's actions.

Russia's illegal military incursion in the Crimea region in Ukraine is a grave violation of a nation's sovereignty and cannot go unpunished," Rubio said in the Politico piece. "First, President Obama should speak unequivocally and call this what it is: a military invasion. Second, President Obama should dispatch Secretary Kerry and Secretary Hagel to Kiev to show U.S. support for Ukraine's transitional government. Third, the U.S. should rally our allies to boycott this June's G8 summit in Sochi."

Rubio, a Florida Republican who frequently has accused the Obama administration of being too slow to react to international crises, said Russia needs to be handed consequences if it does not retreat.

Note to all the Beltway Paycheck CONservatives, this issue is a distraction so far. Because not till the Hitler card is played will it be serious enough to start renewing some defense contractor contracts. Maybe some of you operator special forces retired types can get some training contracts, but more than likely they will go IDF types over you (they got more pull, but you will get the scraps trust your leaders, they got your back). So in short there is no real sizzle till the Hitler card is played against Pooty Putin.

In an op-ed piece that appeared in Politico, Sen. Marco Rubio, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine calls for no less than “immediate and decisive U.S. leadership.”

Hey Marco mac daddy has it under control, he has drawn a red line and will not hesitate many many more.

McGruff from the title:" Sen. Marco Rubio Urges Decisive Action Over Russian Military Move Against Ukraine " According to Drudge, an article in 'The Weekly Standard' states that the president didn't even attend the weekly Nation Security meeting prior to issueing his statement on the Russia- Ukraine attack in the Crimea . He was , instead , briefed by Samantha Powers . That says it all ! Another AWOL during a crisis .

7
posted on 03/02/2014 9:19:45 AM PST
by Tilted Irish Kilt
(Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm. -- James Madison)

Maybe rubio should be more assertive about dealing with the mexican incursion currently under way at our southern border. Putin’s land grab pales in comparison just by sheer numbers of invaders from our south.

America better think very quickly about what their next move is - but in my humble opinion, it would appear to be a checkmate.

The Obama administration recently pissed off the Chinese and the Russians bad - very bad. There has been absolutely nothing in the main stream media about this - nothing - not even on Fox. So bad that it was the tipping point of what we see transpiring now in the Ukraine and soon to be in Southeast Asia.

Maybe rubio should be more assertive about dealing with the mexican incursion currently under way at our southern border. Putins land grab pales in comparison just by sheer numbers of invaders from our south.

Best post on the topic.

25
posted on 03/02/2014 9:36:24 AM PST
by little jeremiah
(Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)

a) Freeze all Russian assets in the US and the EU b)Travel bans on Russian officials/oligarchs c)Send US air defense units to Poland and the Baltic states d)Offer EU and NATO membership immediately to Ukraine e)Have the Polish army go on "maneuvers" next to the Kaliningrad Oblast f)Have the Romanian army go on "maneuvers" next to Moldova g)Go after Russian clients in Syria, Venezuela, etc. h)If the Germans object to (a) or (b), have an "accident" disable the Baltic gas pipeline (German faithlessness should not go cost free)

My guess is none of these things will be done because they require leadership and planning: we had months of growing evidence of Russian intentions and prepared for nothing.

The press is already in full fellatio mode explaining to the American people that "nothing can be done" to provide cover for the corrupt incompetent in the White Hut.

I don't understand why I see so many on FR excusing Putin-- there seem to be many "conservatives" here whose hatred of Obama is so deep that they would make common cause with our nation's enemies as long as it hurts Obama. That's the same thing the treasonous left has done since the 60's, and we shouldn't go there.

I also understand the principled case for isolationism, but that would require re-gaining control of our economy from the globalists and many other political changes that are unlikely. But at least we owe our allies a plain statement that we are withdrawing any security guarantees first.

The lesson of willful American impotence will not be lost on China or anyone else: you can look forward to Chinese seizure of islands in the South China Sea shortly.

30
posted on 03/02/2014 9:49:45 AM PST
by pierrem15
(Claudius: "Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out.")

Pootey wants Crimea to protect his military port on the Black Sea. So he shall have it. I doubt he will try to take and keep all of the Ukraine as it will have the same outcome as Afghanistan. A war of attrition from a group of people who hate Russia’s guts. He can have the Crimea back with little or no punishment.

He was always going to do this.

32
posted on 03/02/2014 9:56:34 AM PST
by Georgia Girl 2
(The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)

"First, President Obama should speak unequivocally and call this what it is: a military invasion. Second, President Obama should dispatch Secretary Kerry and Secretary Hagel to Kiev to show U.S. support for Ukraine's transitional government. Third, the U.S. should rally our allies to boycott this June's G8 summit in Sochi.

and how about a strongly worded letter too?

34
posted on 03/02/2014 9:58:39 AM PST
by GeronL
(Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans!)

Rubio just proved to me he is the jackass I kind of thought he was. This guy with no USA military service that I know of wants or will let others die for the foolishness that comes out of his mouth. Who is he to ask Russia to ‘retreat’? Having family roots in various parts of the old Soviet Union and Ukrainian friends here in the USA I am more knowledgeable than some wiseacre cheap talking politician. My only sibling brother died fighting for the USA on Okinawa in WWII. I was being outfitted for the invasion of Japan. I think/believe I know more about war and it’s consequences than politicians like Rubio. The huff and puff between Russia and Ukraine is their is their hot air to live with.

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